West Bromwich Albion still have a long way to go before they can strike a deal with Brighton and Hove Albion for David Button, according to the Birmingham Mail.
While Sam Johnstone silenced his critics during what was perhaps his finest league season so far in 2019/20, this has not stopped the newly-promoted Baggies from scouring the market for a new goalkeeper.
Jonathan Bond’s contract has expired while Lincoln Town boss Michael Appleton has made no secret of his desire to sign Alex Palmer on another loan deal (Lincolnshire Live).
As a result, West Brom have entered the market for Button, perhaps seeing the ex-Brentford and Fulham glovesman as the kind of experienced operator capable of challenging Johnstone behind the scenes at The Hawthorns.
The Express and Star suggest that Brighton would be willing to sell a man they brought to the Amex just last summer for £1 million.
But if West Brom fans were hoping that Button would become the first in a series of new arrivals before 2020/21 kicks off in a fortnight, they may be disappointed.
A deal is nowhere near entering the final stages as things stand and, as the Birmingham Mail point out, the Baggies are hedging their bets and scouring the market for alternative options.
Slaven Bilic did express his admiration for Ivo Grbic, calling the Croatian a ‘top goalkeeper’ in an interview with Index, but the 6ft 5ins giant has since joined Atletico Madrid instead.
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